The emphasis is on constituent service in the campaigns of both Charlton Democrat Kathleen Walker and the legislator she is challenging for the 6th Worcester District House seat in the Nov. 6 election, first-term state Rep. Peter J. Durant, R-Spencer.

A retired lease negotiator and site acquisition specialist for the postal service, Ms. Walker said that experience gave her the skills to have influence on Beacon Hill.

She is a 10-year selectman and he was one for six years before deciding not to seek re-election this year in Spencer. Both candidates stress records that they say show they work hard for their constituents.

Ms. Walker said her main objective is to bring Worcester County together as one voice so it is valued and paid attention to on Beacon Hill. She said she recently helped re-launch an association of countywide selectmen to further that goal.

But Mr. Durant said the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission's Central 13 Prioritization Project already helps serve that function. On Sept. 10, the agency held a session at which, Mr. Durant said, he met with every town administrator in his district.

“My opponent wasn't there,” he said.

Ms. Walker said her accomplishments include initiating and organizing a twice-yearly meeting of all boards and committees in Charlton, putting together candidates' nights for Charlton residents, and reviving and spurring changes to a tax work-off program for senior citizens.

Mr. Durant said his campaign continues to focus on the economy and getting people back to work in good paying jobs. He said the district has high-tech manufacturing jobs, and a demand for people with the skills to fill them. He said he looks to work with educators to join in that effort.

Southbridge Town Councilor Laurent R. McDonald, a member of his town's Democratic Committee, which endorsed Ms. Walker, said she has been effective in serving the needs of her constituents.

“I'm confident in her ability to bring meaningful projects to the district, such as the Westfield State University satellite campus begun by (Geraldo) Alicea and intended for Southbridge,” Mr. McDonald said.

In 2004, Mr. McDonald added, Ms. Walker worked hard to get contamination eliminated from a Massachusetts Turnpike spill that threatened Charlton water wells. Her “tenacity” resulted in clean water supplies being restored to previously contaminated properties, the Southbridge official said.

Mr. Durant criticized Ms. Walker for not speaking out on “any real issues.” Mr. Durant noted she has been described as a liberal Democrat, which he asserted means she would be out of touch with the district.

Ms. Walker said Mr. Durant has strong Republican principles that preclude him from working well with the Democrats.

“I understand how our principles should create our actions but at some point we have to be a little more pragmatic and say, what can I do for my district?”

But Mr. Durant said his 2011-12 record was in the top five of bipartisan voting.

Charlton resident Frank Morrill said Ms. Walker is a nice person, but he will vote for Mr. Durant because he has performed his job effectively.

Mr. Morrill, a retired Millbury High School teacher of law and U.S. history, and a member of Charlton's Finance Committee, said he usually votes Democratic. He said he appreciates Mr. Durant's ongoing dialogue with Shepherd Hill Regional High School students about the legislative process.

He also credited Mr. Durant's ability to listen.

“He's concerned, and the fact that he has an R after his name and I usually see a D after my name is not relevant when someone is doing what they're supposed to do for your district. I suppose it can be more relevant as you go up the political chain. But at this level I'm much more concerned with how does he interact and does he truly care about what goes on in my district and particularly in my town.”

The incumbent has a bigger campaign war chest.

This year, Mr. Durant's campaign raised $27,225, including $500 each from the Massachusetts Independent Political Action Committee for Working Families of Walpole and Catholic Citizenship PAC of Melrose. He has spent $16,660, according to the state office of campaign finance reports.

Ms. Walker raised $14,209, including $500 from the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 4. She has spent $8,377.

Mr. Durant seeks his first full term. He defeated Geraldo Alicea, who had served two terms in the House, and independents Peter J. Boria of Charlton and Robert J. Cirba of Spencer in a May 2011 special election. A judge declared the 2010 election between Mr. Durant and Mr. Alicea, a Democrat, a tie.

The new 6th Worcester District added Dudley and retained Southbridge, three of four precincts in Charlton and one precinct in Spencer. East Brookfield and parts of Oxford and Spencer were dropped.

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